Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Kansas City

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Kansas City, Missouri?

  The non-emergency number for Kansas City Police Department is 816-234-5111.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Kansas City, Missouri?

  Police records may be obtained from the Records Unit of the Kansas City Police Department at 1125 Locust Street. You may also request a copy by submitting a written request through mail, making a telephone inquiry at 816-234-5100, or completing an online form at https://www.kcpd.org/about/services/report-and-video-requests/record-and-video-request-faqs/#:~:text=How%20do%20I,retrieve%20the%20records.

• How often should you revisit your estate plan in Kansas City?

  You must revisit your estate plan in Kansas City every three to five years. You are also advised to revise your estate plan if you have had a significant life event, such as getting married or divorced, relocating to a new state, purchasing large assets, or replacing the executor of a will to make any required changes.

• Can you include your pets' care in estate planning in Kansas City?

  You may establish a pet trust as part of your estate plan in Kansas City to ensure the continued well-being of your pets in the event of disability or death. The trust will also help you designate your pet's care in the hands of a trusted individual who will utilize the funds for the pet's health maintenance, including food, housing, grooming, and veterinary care.

• What age can you start estate planning in Kansas City?

  The legal age to begin estate planning in Kansas City is at the age of 18. As a young adult, you will solely manage your finances, assets, and healthcare. In the event of your incapacity or death, your parents won't be able to make decisions on your behalf unless you give them the legal authority to do so. Having an estate plan in effect can save your loved ones the trouble of filing a petition for guardianship or conservatorship with the court.

• What is the use of trust and will in estate planning in Kansas City?

  Estate planning in Kansas City, trusts and wills are primarily used to make the assets designation and transfer process more manageable. A trust provides management and distribution of your assets during your lifetime and after death, which can also be utilized to minimize or avoid probate entirely. On the other hand, a will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes instead of the state's laws of intestacy during probate.

• How does estate planning help you keep assets from going to stepchildren on your death in Kansas City?

  You can set up a QTIP marital trust as a part of your estate plan to guarantee that, upon your death, your assets will go directly to your biological children instead of your stepchildren in Kansas City. The trust will also prevent your spouse from altering the primary designation of assets for when they pass away.

• What does an estate planning attorney do?

  An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated. Estate planning attorneys can prepare wills, form trusts, reduce estate tax burdens, and decrease or eliminate the need for probate court.

• What are valuable estate planning services an attorney can provide?

  With the many intricacies of assets, taxes, and state and federal laws that can affect a person’s estate, an estate planning lawyer can be a valuable professional asset, no matter how large or small a person’s estate may be. An estate planning attorney can:

  • Create a comprehensive plan to protect a client's legacy, that includes a will, power of attorney, trusts, life insurance, and advanced medical directives
  • Optimize an estate plan as tax laws, life events, assets, and goals change over time
  • Protect a client’s loved ones by preventing assets from entering probate
  • Help clients designate a person to make important health decisions for them if they become incapacitated

  
  

• Can estate planning attorneys help create trusts/wills?

  Estate planning attorneys can create trusts and wills. Through a will, an attorney can help a client designate their estate’s beneficiaries and assign an executor to represent the will in probate court. These attorneys can also create trusts, allowing a client to assign a trustee to oversee the estate, potentially avoiding probate court and holding assets to be distributed over time.

• Is estate planning the same as drafting a will?

  While both estate plans and wills officially document how their owners wish to allocate certain assets after their death, there are key differences. In estate planning, a will is often just one of several documents that form a comprehensive plan. In a will, people must designate a person responsible for executing their will after their death. The will can include guardians for their children when they die and beneficiaries to receive an inheritance of money, property, and other assets.

• What are the steps involved in estate planning?

  To create a thorough and effective estate plan, individuals should follow these steps:

  • Prepare a will that designates an estate executor; indicate who will receive what assets, and assign a trust and guardians for any children. Consider using an attorney if the will is in any way complex.
  • To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust.
  • Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities.
  • Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form.
  • Update the plan every five years.

  
  

• How long does the estate planning process last?

  The length of the process can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the specific law office, and whether there’s an emergency or urgent need. If you’re using an attorney, you can generally expect it to take one to five weeks. You may be able to speed up the process by immediately providing your attorney with any bank statements or other documents they need.

• What is a trust?

  A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date. At that point, it's the responsibility of the trustee to distribute funds or property to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. While there are similarities between a will and a trust, a will is a more comprehensive document that typically requires probate court, while a trust allows assets to pass to the beneficiary without probate.

• How does a trust fund work?

  When opening a trust fund, a grantor allocates a trustee to oversee and manage assets in the account. This trustee can sometimes be a relative, an estate lawyer, or a bank that acts as the legal owner of the trust. While holding assets, the trustee is required to file taxes on trust assets.

• How does a living trust work?

  A living trust enables a grantor to manage their assets through a trustee while still alive. They can continually add funds and/or property to their trust fund by transferring them to the trustee, who accepts ownership of everything held in the fund. The grantor can name a beneficiary for their trust, and their assets will be automatically transferred to that person or establishment upon their death.

• Do I need a lawyer for a will?

  No, a lawyer is not required to draft or complete a will. However, there are some scenarios in which hiring an estate lawyer to assist with a will is a good idea, including when children or high-value assets are involved. Additionally, an estate lawyer can help to reduce probate fees and taxes paid by loved ones after a person dies. It's also best to work with a professional to ensure that the will addresses everything necessary, such as funeral plans, guardianship, and asset distribution.

• Can you have both a will and a living trust?

  Yes, and individuals who have a living trust should also have a will. While a living trust enables a person to leave funds and assets to a loved one when they're gone, a will is required to cover any assets that aren't included in the trust, such as guardianship of dependents, funeral plans, and forgiveness of outstanding debts, if applicable.

• How much does it cost to set up a trust?

  The cost of setting up a trust varies quite a bit depending on a variety of factors, including terms that are in place, special provisions for minor beneficiaries, and trustees' basic fees. In most cases, the minimum cost of setting up a trust is about $1,500, but depending on the factors mentioned above, this cost can increase by thousands of dollars.